Self-care
Chlorhexidine (Peridex®, PerioChip®, PerioGard® and other over-the-counter trade names) is an antibiotic used to control plaque and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) in the mouth or in periodontal pockets (the space between the gums and teeth). The medication is available as a mouth rinse or as a gelatin-filled chip that is placed in pockets after root planing.
Nutrition
Scaling and root planing —Tartar and bacteria are removed from your teeth and under your gums using instruments, a laser or an ultrasonic device. Antibiotics —Topical antibiotics, such as antibiotic gels or mouth rinses, are used to control bacterial infection. Surgical periodontal disease treatments 6
What is the best natural cure for gum disease?
Surgical Treatments for Gum Disease. Flap surgery/pocket reduction surgery. During this procedure the gums are lifted back and the tartar is removed. In some cases, irregular surfaces of ... Bone grafts. This procedure involves using fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone to ...
How to treat gum disease with homemade remedies?
I always recommend using a chlorhexidine mouthwash for this period to aid healing and help reduce the swelling of your gums. The periodontal chart will let the dentist map out the areas where the disease requires further treatment.
What is gum disease and how do you treat it?
Swishing with hydrogen peroxide may also help relieve minor mouth irritations and kill bacteria that could lead to gum disease. Hydrogen peroxide can be purchased in 3% solution at the pharmacy and diluted with 50% water. Consider using diluted hydrogen peroxide in a water flosser, like a Waterpik.
What to do if you have a gum disease?
Jan 03, 2022 · Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is basic, so it can neutralize the acids that bacteria in your mouth produce. This can reduce the buildup of plaque. Baking soda is also slightly abrasive, so it can scrub superficial stains off your teeth.
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Mild gum disease can be controlled and treated with good oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning. More severe forms can also be treated successfully with consultation and treatment. 5 Nearly half (46%) of all adults aged 30 years or older show signs of gum disease; severe gum disease affects about 9% of adults. 6 Other Fast Fact Topics
How do dentist treat gum disease?
Scaling and Root Planing Scaling: Your dentist or hygienist removes plaque and tartar down to the bottom of each periodontal pocket. Root Planing: Then, the root surfaces of your teeth are smoothed, or “planed”, to allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the teeth.
Can gum disease be corrected?
So how do I cure gum disease? Gum disease can be cured. Essentially, it's all about removing bacteria from your mouth and allowing the gums to heal back to a healthy state. If you want to get rid of gum disease, the first step is to get the right education so that you know how to clean your teeth effectively at home.Jan 20, 2020
Is gum disease painful?
It's typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden. In advanced stages, periodontal disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums; painful chewing problems; and even tooth loss.
Can gum infection spread?
A tooth infection or “tooth abscess” is a collection of pus and bacteria that forms inside the tooth or gum. Without proper treatment, tooth infections can spread to other areas of the body, and this can lead to serious and potentially life threatening complications.Apr 3, 2020
How to treat gum disease?
Some treatments for gum disease are surgical. Some examples are: Flap surgery/pocket reduction surgery. During this procedure the gums are lifted back and the tartar is removed. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide.
How long does it take for a tooth to heal from root planing?
The medication is available as a mouth rinse or as a gelatin-filled chip that is placed in pockets after root planing and releases the medication slowly over about 7 days. Other antibiotics, including doxycycline, tetracycline, and minocycline (Arestin) may also be used to treat gum disease, as determined by your dentist.
Why is the bone around the tooth reshaped after flap surgery?
Smoothes shallow craters in the bone due to moderate and advanced bone loss. Following flap surgery, the bone around the tooth is reshaped to decrease the craters. This makes it harder for bacteria to collect and grow.
What is the purpose of scaling and root planing?
Scaling and root planing is done if your dentist or periodontist determines that you have plaque and calculus (hardened plaque, also called tartar) under the gums that needs to be removed.
What is bone graft?
Bone grafts. This procedure involves using fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone, or donated bone to replace bone destroyed by gum disease. The grafts serve as a platform for the regrowth of bone, which restores stability to teeth. New technology, called tissue engineering, encourages your own body to regenerate bone ...
What is grafted tissue?
Grafted tissue, most often taken from the roof of the mouth, is stitched in place, adding tissue to the affected area. Guided tissue regeneration. Performed when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed, this procedure stimulates bone and gum tissue growth.
Does toothpaste contain fluoride?
Some nonprescription toothpastes that are marked as antibacterial may contain fluoride and an antibiotic called triclosan to reduce plaque and gingivitis. Lasers. Check the Academy of Laser Dentistry for information.
How to fix gum recession?
This is usually done by removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of your mouth (palate) or using tissue from another donor source and attaching it to the affected site. This can help reduce further gum recession, cover exposed roots and give your teeth a more pleasing appearance. Bone grafting.
What is the procedure for periodontitis?
If you have advanced periodontitis, treatment may require dental surgery, such as: Flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery). Your periodontist makes tiny incisions in your gum so that a section of gum tissue can be lifted back, exposing the roots for more effective scaling and root planing.
What is the goal of periodontitis treatment?
The goal of periodontitis treatment is to thoroughly clean the pockets around teeth and prevent damage to surrounding bone. You have the best chance for successful treatment when you also adopt a daily routine of good oral care, manage health conditions that may impact dental health and stop tobacco use.
How to tell if you have periodontitis?
To determine whether you have periodontitis and how severe it is, your dentist may: Review your medical history to identify any factors that could be contributing to your symptoms, such as smoking or taking certain medications that cause dry mouth. Examine your mouth to look for plaque and tartar buildup and check for easy bleeding.
How to measure pocket depth?
Measure the pocket depth of the groove between your gums and teeth by placing a dental probe beside your tooth beneath your gumline, usually at several sites throughout your mouth. In a healthy mouth, the pocket depth is usually between 1 and 3 millimeters (mm). Pockets deeper than 4 mm may indicate periodontitis.
What is the best treatment for bacterial infection?
Antibiotics. Topical or oral antibiotics can help control bacterial infection.
What is guided tissue regeneration?
Guided tissue regeneration. This allows the regrowth of bone that was destroyed by bacteria. In one approach, your dentist places a special piece of biocompatible fabric between existing bone and your tooth. The material prevents unwanted tissue from entering the healing area, allowing bone to grow back instead.
How to get rid of gum disease?
Daily brushing and flossing. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing is still one of the best home remedies for good oral health. Removing plaque and disrupting bacteria that colonize the teeth and gums removes the primary cause of gum disease.
What is the best mouthwash for gum inflammation?
A mouthwash containing a small amount of lemongrass oil can lower bacterial plaque levels. A wash with 0.25% lemongrass oil can reduce plaque better than chlorhexidine gluconate, a proven anti-bacterial rinse used to treat gum inflammation.³
Why do my gums bleed after flossing?
If you’re dealing with pain or swelling in your gums or you spit blood after brushing or flossing, your body may be telling you that something’s not quite right. Bleeding from any part of your body suggests an injury, and bleeding gums aren’t an exception.
What does it mean when your teeth are loose?
Loose teeth and swellings often indicate advanced gum disease. In some cases, over 80% of the bone may be destroyed before teeth start to move.
Does green tea help with gum disease?
Green tea contains high amounts of antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation. Green tea can help counteract the immune system’s inflammatory response to bacteria in the mouth. This reduced inflammation helps reduce damage to the gums and supporting jawbone.
What is the best way to remove gum abscess?
Salt causes fluids to move away from the swelling. If you need a gum abscess home remedy, warm saltwater is a good place to start.
How to get rid of plaque in mouth?
You can make your own sage rinse at home. Add two tablespoons of fresh sage or one teaspoon of dried sage to a cup or two of boiling water. Let it simmer on low for about 10 minutes before straining it.
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